Capitalism leads to Socialism?

Capitalism - an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods, by investments that are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.

Socialism - 1 : any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods
2 a : a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b : a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state
3 : a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

I bet you are shocked by that title huh?! I was too! My wonderful husband and I got away this weekend for an overnight date. This meant we had time to talk about alot of things. Saturday night while sitting in the public hot tub at the hotel we struck up a conversation with 2 couples from our great neighbor to the north - Canada. One of the topics we got on was our health care issue and their government run health care. They didn't have two many bad things to say about it (not that I am advocating ours by any means!!!). I expected them to say how awful it was, and the pure awfulness (not a real word) was just not there. Sunday was we were leaving TC we were talking about it again, and a thought came to mind.

Capitalism will lead to Socialism because of the greed of man. What socialism does, is it legislates morality. Because the basic instinct of man is not toward good, but toward evil (Genesis 6:5), (1 Timothy 6:9-11). We are dealing with the abuse of capitalism in the United States right now. The rest of the world has been dealing with in for alot longer, and are closer to and already involved in Socialism to various stages. You see America and Americans seem to think that people will do the right thing, because we are all basically good right? Wrong as the above verses state. People will do what is best for them. If they can make money, more money, and more money, then that is what they'll do, regardless. Therefore we have issues like: Bailouts of the banking industry, why? They wanted more money. We have thousands and thousands of people in bankruptcy, why? They wanted bigger and better (this is a general statement, I know there are those that did their best, but still had to file). We drove through the little town of Manistee, where there is a Casino. There is a Check N Go there, Why? Because then the person with a gambling problem can quickly cash their check and head over to the Casino. The person that owns the Check N Go, doesn't care about the gambler. They care about making money. How about Lawyers who chase ambulances with frivolous lawsuits? How about people who sue companies when they order hot coffee and spill it on themselves? (Here's some other interesting lawsuits) There are governments that are so corrupt that they will allow their people to starve, and little babies that have to wait years to be adopted by a loving family, why? Because they want to keep the money for themselves. Are you seeing it here? So here we are in the US. Our government sees the imbalance in our land and says we need to make it even - socialism.

Why do I say all this? It's just an observation. That's it. Just another lesson for me into the heart of man. How without God we are corrupt. (Romans 3:22-24) , (Romans 3:9-10) No matter how pretty the package is, or how good you try to be in and of yourself, without God we are evil, and every bent our our hearts are toward evil, and governments will try to legislate morality to no avail.

I hope I haven't freaked anyone out, and you're all now thinking I'm a flaming socialist! No way! I love Capitalism and all it can mean. I'm just a realist who sees the heart of man without God, and is beginning to understand. We wish those that made gobs and gobs would give unselfishly to others in need. We wish doctors didn't charge so much for services. We will Insurance companies would stop over charging doctors! We wish pharmaceutical companies would place a reasonable price on medicine, the list goes on and on. But they are free to do as they chose within the context of Capitalism, hoping they will do the right thing. Hummm.........

Random Dozen Wednesday

1. What was the last song you listened to?

I was in a don't worry mood last night so I went on You Tube and found "Don't worry be happy: by Bobby McFerrin and "Every little things gonna be alright" by Bob Marley. I was having a reggae moment. Ah shucks, let's play one again!!! Go here to watch video. And don't worry, be happy!!!

2. Have you ever had “buyer’s remorse” over anything?

Not that I can remember. I've always tried to be wise with my money. Before I was married I didn't have alot of money to throw around. Steve and I got married and were dinks (duel income no kids) for a while, but after kids and I stopped working we were back to watching every penny, so I just don't make crazy purchases. I do have buyers envy thought! ; - )

3. What is something in your life that you are thankful for now that you didn’t think you would be at the time of the event? (Something that seemed ill-timed, inconvenient or hurtful which turned out to be a good thing)

Oh that would be the break up between me and my first boyfriend. We had dated for 4 years and I (notice I) had my life all planned out. I always think of the Garth Brooks song (Thank God for unanswered Prayers (even though I know he answers all our prayers, just maybe not the way we desire at the time, but always for our good) because if I would have gotten what I "wanted" I wouldn't have received what was "best" for me. I was devastated by our break up, but now I see God sovereign hand in it all.

4. Do you watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade every year? If so, do you have a favorite float or balloon?

Nope. I'd rather see a parade in person.

5. Share a quote, scripture, poem or lyric which has been an inspiration to you lately.

This morning I just read the whole of Isaiah Chapter 40. Not only is it a prophecy of John the Baptist, but it speaks of God's supremacy!

6. This is meant to be a fun question, and this is a G-rated blog, but please share a “guilty pleasure,” something that you enjoy that’s probably not the most edifying, time-worthy or healthy thing you could be indulging in. Did I mention--G rating?

There are so many that I thought of, but the one that comes to mind right off the top of my head is, dare I say it???? - FACEBOOK!!! Boy howdy you can waste alot of time there!!!!

7. What Thanksgiving food are you looking forward to?

The Sweet Potato Pie I am making!!!! Oh I love all that butter and brown sugar!!!!!!!!!

8. What is your favorite book to read to children, or what was your favorite childhood book?

"I'll Love you Forever" and "The Legend of Sleeping Bear" Both books make me cry!!!

9. Do you collect anything? (Feel free to post a photo.)

I used to collect china cups. I have them all packed away downstairs because I have not place to show them. Now I just collect my children's artwork.

10. Gift bags or wrapping paper?

Both. At Christmas it's wrapping paper, but otherwise for birthdays it's both. A confession "I re-use the bags!!!!" Is that horrible or do others do that too?!

11. Share an after-school memory from when you were younger. What was your routine like on an average day?

You know I don't remember!!! I don't remember alot of specifics about my younger days. I do remember almost getting hit by a friends car as I walked home from the bus stop, and I remember the tall mountains of snow I had to climb on so I wasn't walking on the road in the winter. Boy isn't that sad that I can't remember doing homework and such??!!!

12. True story: Once, in a job interview, I was asked this question and told there would be no clarifying; I simply had to answer the question: “When you’re fishing, do you feel for the fish?” So what about you? When you're fishing, do you feel for the fish??

Yes ( Oh I so want to clarify!!!!!)

Join others over at 2nd Cup of Coffee for more Randomness!!!

Thought I would share............

This past Sunday our Youth Pastor (who just happens to be my nephew) preached. We have been going through a series called "Knowing the God of the Bible". Beginning with Genesis and going through the Old Testament, giving people a better idea of who God is, so they can know and love Him and give Him the glory he is so worthy of. Brandon spoke using Haggai as the text. It was a wonderful sermon all the way around, but one part just about made me jump out of my seat and yell WAA HOO! Here is the text that he read from at this point:

Haggai 2:

6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. ⁷ I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. ⁸ 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. ⁹ 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Do you see it? Verse 9 just smacked me in the face. God asked them back in verse 3 - Ask them, 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?

The former temple was Solomon's temple, and it was something! This temple was rudimentary compared to the splendor of Solomon's temple. Why would this present house be greater then the former? Because this is the temple that Christ enters "I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty" . YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never put the pieces together before. The temple the remnant had built was the very temple that Christ walked into, that he chased the thieves from. This is the very temple that the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom! Oh it gave me goose bumps!!!!!!!!! I love what the Lord says next: "And in this place I will grant peace," declares the LORD Almighty!!!

YES!!! Thank you Father!! YES!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Oh how I love His word that teaches us about Him!! Glory! That is what God is do! Glory!!!!

Thanks for letting me share!! Looking forward to His 2nd coming!!

Random Dozen

1. It's early morning, about 2:00AM, and you're driving home. You come to a red light and sit there. There is no one in sight for miles around. Do you wait it out or run the light?
Even though I don't see anyone, I am such a rule follower that I would probably wait.

2. If you had the chance to re-do the last 24 hours, would you change anything?
Yes, I would have said more about a certain situation. I would have called someone on how they were acting.

3. When you reply to someones comment on your blog, do you reply in your comments or go to her blog and comment? (Or email her)
I e-mail and then visit their blog.

4. Your favorite Disney movie is:
Since I can't remember every Disney movie right now I would say "UP". It was such a sweet movie. Our whole family liked it.

5. Do you recycle?
Yes, except on vacation. I'm vacationing so I don't want to think about it! I know that doesn't make me truly green!

6. Games of strategy or games of chance?
Game of chance. I'm not good with strategy. My son and I were just talking about this the other day.

7. Do you have any recurring dreams?
No, but I do dream about work alot. Don't like that very much!!!!

8. What did you learn from your first real job?
How to cut up food. I was a prep cook where my brother-in-law worked. Wolfgangs Just Breakfast in Easttown GR, for those around here. Anyway I prepared all the food that they used in the kitchen. I could chopp a 20lb bag of onions without crying! Soak them in water first! I meat some interesting people. This is a very eclectic part of Grand Rapids. You see some real characters. So I guess I learned to chop, mix, and how to crack an egg one handed.

9. Do you buy or borrow most books?
I go to the library for those I am just reading for enjoyment. If it's a devotional or other Biblical study book, I buy it because I like to highlight and underline ALOT!

10. What fashion trend of the past did you say you'd never wear again but did?
High waisted pants. I feel like I'm going cut right down the middle, and leg warmers!

11. When do you start Christmas shopping?
Right about now. I love going out the day after Thanksgiving though. I go by myself because of the weird way I shop.

12. Have you ever been so happy that you literally jumped up and down for a few seconds? If so, what was the occasion?
O.K. I'm sure there are alot of times, but it was the first time my husband called me to ask me out. Two of my girlfriends where over at my apartment, and when he called they jumped to the middle of the couch and clapped, then we did the happy dance.

Thanks to Linda for hosting Random Dozen. I really enjoy doing this each week!

Marriage Monday - A letter to my gift from God

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On this Marriage Monday we were asked to write some type of love letter to our husbands. Since I am not a poet I am choosing to write my blessing a letter. Thanks to E-Mom over at Chrysalis for giving us a reason to show our thankfulness. Here goes"

To my gift from God Steve,

As I have thought of what I was going to write in this letter so much came to mind, that I thought it would be impossible to put it all into words. That still may be true, but I want you to know how you have made such an amazing difference in my life.

We have only known each other almost 16 years. If feels so much longer then that, and I mean that in a good way! I feel I have known you forever, and that I cannot imagine life without you. There was a time before I met you that I was unsure whether I would ever get married. I even had people tell me that I probably wouldn't be good married because I was to set in my ways. All around me I saw marriages that were not what they were meant to be. They seemed to be constantly at odds, and very, very unhappy. I knew that I did not want that for myself, so I prayed that if I was single until I was 50 or for the rest of my life God would be picking the next man I dated. Now there is absolutely no reason why God should have granted me a wonderful husband. This prayer is really one of the first acts of obedience I acted on. Before this I was living my life for myself and making decisions that were not pleasing to God. I broke off a relationship that was not of God a year before I met you and resolved myself to let God lead in whatever direction He would have me go.

Little did I know that just 3 short weeks after praying this prayer I would meet you! At first Marilyn wanted to set me up with you but because of past "blind" dates I said a big "NO THANKS!" As the Lord would have it though we got together anyway, all because Marilyn was late meeting up with us one night! I love how God works. It took you awhile to call, but after you did, everything seemed so natural and comfortable.

I remember the first time I realized that I loved you. It was sitting on your couch watching home movies of you and your family. I loved how you loved your family! I loved how you loved Repo (our dog). I loved your home movies where it was just you testing out the camera with your pet bird and repo, Marcia and Dean, and all the rest. My heart was drawn to you.

Now here we are, married 14 years, with 2 wonderful children, a weird dog, a hamster, and 2 chickens, and I glory in our life together! Even the mundane parts of our life. 9 times out of 10 I go to bed with a smile on my face because you are there next to me. You are exactly what I needed in a husband. You are the calm to my crazy. You are the adventurer and outdoorsy type to my recluse and bookworm type. You draw me out and make me do things I wouldn't normally do, and I thank you for that. You give me so much encouragement, and spur me on to do the things that God has called me to do.

One of the things I love the most about us, is when we pray together, or when you take me in your arms and pray for me. That means so much! You are a wonderful father! Our children know they are loved and appreciated! I love the way you desire to be with each of them separately as well as together. You again give them adventures they wouldn't have without you in their lives. I love our family trips! You are the wonderful provider that makes that all possible! Well God is the provider, but you are the tool, who always works so hard for his family.

You have sacrificed so much for us. Before us you used to hunt and scuba dive all the time. Now that doesn't happen to often. I wish for your sake it could happen more! I love that you put us above your extra curricular activities. The one time you left for hunting, then returned 1/2 hour later because you wanted to be with your family more then hunting, meant so much!

You are exactly what I needed in a husband, and I am so glad that God brought us together! I pray we have many years together! Only God knows! But know this my wonderful husband - I cherish you and thank God every day for you!

Love your grateful wife,

Kim